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February 2023 Archives
Today is Wednesday, February 1st, 2023; Karen's Korner #4843
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One more sharing coming out of our Proverbs discussions last Wednesday morning at our ecumenical Bible study.
What I shared was Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
The verse could be good for not only men, but for women, or any group or two people who talk together or meet in a group setting.
There is a group of guys in Clarion, known as IRON MEN. It had its beginnings in June and July of 2013 with our Clarion Church of Christ minister Warren Curry at the helm.
He shared that he had spent some time in a "dry waste land" and went to the church office and spent the night in prayer, struggling with where he was going to go from here. "It seemed like God wanted me to do this," he said, "but I told God that my plate was already full. He quickly gave me names of 35 guys to invite with this idea of men reaching out to other men, from a variety of local churches."
The first meeting began on a Tuesday early morning in September of that year with 17 attending, so the group of Iron Men will celebrate its 10th anniversary in September. "We never had below 17 in the first nine months of our being together, with a high of 27," Curry said.
They have now settled in to numbers in the low to high teens, rarely ever missing one week. From those humble begins birthed another group which meets in Clarion on Wednesday evenings. Another one is meeting in Zearing, Iowa. Two more are currently meeting - one in Minnesota and another in South Dakota.
So what happens at the meetings? "We encourage one another," said Curry. "We remind each other as we focus on marriage and family relationships; our jobs, our relationships with God. Any struggles we might be having with any other areas of our lives." He said at one time they did a survey of the top two things guys had learned: first, they were spending more time reading their Bibles; second, they realized they were not alone in their thoughts and struggles.
"Iron continues to sharpen IRON"..
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Today is Thursday, February 2nd, 2023; Karen's Korner #4844
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"God chose His servant David,
taking him from feeding sheep,
and from following the ewes with lambs.
He presented David to his people
as their shepherd
and he cared for them
with a true heart
and skilled hands."
~ Psalm 78:70 - 72 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "With love and skill, David the shepherd boy cared for his flocks. As Israel's king, David cared for his people the same way ----with skillful hands and s true heart. The skill and integrity are basic requirements for effective leadership. Those without skill are ineffective. Those without high moral character lead people astray or become easily corrupted. In our pursuit to become more highly skilled, we should not neglect integrity. We should not treat our present situation lightly or irresponsibly, it may be God's training ground for our future."
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Today is Friday, February 3rd, 2023; Karen's Korner #4845
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Something shared with me by a friend with this disclaimer 'Not sure who wrote this but thought the advice was timeless!":
ADVICE FROM AN OLD FARMER
"Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered… not yelled.
Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t never gonna happen anyway.
Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life… Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Don ‘t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t bothering you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.
If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around..
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.
Most times, it just gets down to common sense."
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Today is Monday, February 6th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4846
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(Make note: I will be away from my computer for a few days. The next Karen's Korner will be sent on Valentine's Day - February 14!)
"But this precious treasure---
this light and power that now shine with us---
is held in a perishable container,
that is,
in our weak bodies.
Everyone can see that the glorious power
within must be from God
and not our own."
~ 2 Corinthians 4:7 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "The supremely valuable message of salvation in Jesus Christ has been entrusted by God to frail and fallible human beings. Paul's (writer) focus, however, is not on the perishable container but on the priceless contents---God's power dwelling in us. Though we are weak, God uses us to spread his Good News and gives us power to do his work. Knowing that the power is his, not ours, keeps us from pride and motivates us to keep daily contact with God, our power source. Our responsibility is to let people see God through us."
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Today is Tuesday, February 14th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4847
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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!
So whether you
get cards, flowers, a note or two or not, here is a note for you from
"100 Things God Loves About You; Simple Reminders for When You Need
Them Most" by Tama Fortner.
Number 100!!
GOD LOVES..........
YOU!
"I praise you because I
am fearfully
and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."
~ Psalm 139:14
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"God loves you simply because you are.....
well......
you.
"He loves your imperfections, your quirkiness, your creativity. He
loves that you are courageous, confident, kind. He loves the way you
laugh, the way you work, the way you give. And He loves that you trust
Him enough to call Him
Lord, Abba, Father, and even Friend.
"God loves you so much, so very much, that He sacrificed His own Son
to save you. Because you are fearfully and wonderfully made....because
you are you......because you
are His."
****
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Today is Wednesday, February 15th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4848
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Introduction to Psalm 91:
"God's protection in the midst of danger. God doesn't promise a world free from danger, but He does promise His help whenever we face danger."
"For the Lord says, 'Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in my name. When he calls on me I will answer; I will be with him in trouble, and rescue him and honor him. I will satisfy him with a full life and give him my salvation."
~ Psalm 91:14 -16 LAB
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Today is Thursday, February 16th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4849
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Since I was gone for several days, I am behind in reading "365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Sample. Her writings are all good, but I really liked hers from February 5:
NO SMALL MIRACLE
"You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples."
~ Psalm 27:14 NIV
"God of miracles, your work is on display for all who choose to see. Every day the blind still see, the lame still walk, and the hardest of hearts are turned to you. Just the fact I am here is no small miracle. How many times have you plucked me from danger or ever death that I know nothing about? Nothing is too hard for you. Nothing asked from a heart that's tuned to yours is too much to ask. How can this be? You amaze me. And most amazing of all, you love to do it! You want me to ask for hard things --- impossible things --- so here I go: go ahead, Lord. Amaze me again.
"Are our hearts open to expecting a miracle??"
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Today is Friday, February 17th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4850
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Still wading through hundreds of emails received while I was gone. Many I just delete. Some I stop and read.
This is one sent to my computer by Max Lucado on February 10:
CHOOSING WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT
"I remember receiving an invitation to speak at a church in the Midwest. I turned it down. If I’d gone, I would have had the attention of a great number of people for an hour. The opportunity to speak about Jesus to some people who didn’t know him.
"Is a Tuesday evening at home with three children and a spouse more important than preaching to an audience? I decided to make a list of what I’d lose by saying no to my family one night. I wouldn’t have been there to hold Andrea when her finger got slammed in the door. I wouldn’t have been there to answer Jenna’s question: 'Daddy what’s a handicapped person?' I would have missed Jenna telling the story of Jesus on the cross during our family devotional.
"There are a hundred speakers who could have addressed that crowd, but my girls have just one daddy! I think I made the right choice."
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Today is Monday, February 20th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4851
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Saturday's Anne Graham Lotz email into my inbox:
On Wings of Faith"Suddenly there came a sound from heaven,
as of a rushing mighty wind...
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit."
~ Acts 2:2 - 4 NKJV
" I understand that a turkey and an eagle react differently to the threat of a storm. A turkey reacts by running under the barn, hoping the storm won't come near. On the other hand, an eagle leaves the security of its nest and spreads its wings to ride the air currents of the approaching storm, knowing they will carry it higher in the sky than it could soar on its own.
"Based on your reaction to the storms of life, which are you? A turkey or an eagle?
"It's natural for me to be a turkey in my emotions, but I have chosen to be an eagle in my spirit. And as I have spread my wings of faith to embrace the 'Wind', placing my trust in Jesus and Jesus alone, I have experienced quiet 'everyday' miracles.
"His joy has balanced my pain.
His power has lifted my burden.
His peace has calmed my worries.
"So.....would you spread your wings of faith and soar?"
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Today is Tuesday, February 21st, 2023; Karen's Korner #4852
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On Saturday morning, Ryan, the host on KJYL (100.7 Fm) Christian radio confessed that he doesn't answer calls from numbers he doesn't recognize.
But he told an interesting story of a gal who misdialed the area code on a phone call she was making. "She called area code 410, instead of 401," he said. "She got Mike (I think I have the first name right) in Rhode Island."
She told Mike of her error and redialed the correct number. But that was just the first time. She failed another time. And then another. It got to the place that the two became 'telephone friends'. Mike learned that she had lost a son and she chatted about son and the rest of her family. This 'relationship' went on for twenty years.
When Mike was on his way to Florida for Thanksgiving, he decided to stop by and visit his 'long-lost friend'. He knocked on the gal's door and greeted her with 'Hi, I am Mike from Rhode Island!"
The gal teared up and said, "I am so blessed!", as she welcomed into her home.
Ryan concluded the story, "Maybe I should start answering those unknown numbers!"
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Today is Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023; Karen's Korner #4853
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Winter weather delay in sending Karen's Korner today.
"His loved ones are very precious to Him
and He does not lightly let them die.
` Psalm 116:15 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "Eventually everyone must die. When someone we love is facing death, we may become embittered and feel hopeless. But the phrase, 'he does not lightly let them die' means that they (as believers) are precious to God and He carefully chooses the time when they are to be called into His presence. Let this truth provide comfort when you've lost a loved one."
*****
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Today is Thursday, February 23rd, 2023; Karen's Korner #4854
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Today's "Jesus Calling" Enjoying Peace in His Presence" by Sarah Young:
"Be on guard against the pit of self-pity. When you are weary or unwell, this demonic trap is the greatest danger you face. Don' even go near the edge of the pit. Its edges crumble easily, and before you know it, you are on the way down. It is ever so much harder to get out of the pit than to keep a safe distance from it. That is why I tell you to be on guard.
"There are several ways to protect yourself from self-pity. When you are occupied with praising and thanking Me, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself. Also, the closer you live to Me, the more distance there is between you and the pit. Live in the Light of My Presence by fixing your eyes on Me. Then you will be able to run with endurance the race that is set before you, without stumbling or falling."
~ Taken from Psalm 89:15 - 16; Hebrews 12:1 - 2 (NASB)
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Today is Friday, February 24th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4855
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Here is a good one by Max Lucado. His are all pretty good. He has a way of making Christianity something 'every day':
THE SPIRIT AS A FLOWING RIVER
"Christianity is on the decline in our country. The number of believers has dropped twelve percent in the last decade. Major depression is on the rise. The increase is found in all age groups but is rising fastest among teens and young adults. The increase in suicide is alarming. According to the federal data on the U.S. suicide rate, it is the highest it has been since World War II.
"Yet we have hope. Revival can come at any moment. At the right hour God will open the floodgate and release his Spirit like a flowing river into society. This was the promise of Jesus. 'Jesus stood up and said in loud voice, 'If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from that person's heart'.....Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit." (John 7:37-39 NCV).
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Today is Monday, February 27th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4856
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As we are in the Lenten season:
"Then Pilate,
afraid of a riot
and anxious to please the people,
released Barabbas."
~ Mark 15: 15 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "Who was guilty of Jesus' death? In reality everyone was at fault. The disciples deserted him in fear. Peter denied that he even knew Jesus. Judas betryaed him. The crowds who had followed him stood by and did nothing. Pilate tried to blame the crowds. The religious leaders actively promoted Jesus' death. The Roman soldiers tortured him. If we had been there, waiting these trials, what would have our response been?"
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Today is Tuesday, February 28th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4857
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Each edition of OUR IOWA magazine has some 'words of wisdom' in the vertical margins on its pages titled "Side Notes". Here are several from the February/March 2023 issue:
"Flowers are like friends.
They bring color to your world."
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"The love of family and
admiration of friends
is much more important than
wealth and privilege."
~ Charles Kuralt
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"A house becomes a home
when you can write
'I love you'
in the dust on the furniture."
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"Don't let today's disappointments
cast a shadow on
tomorrow's dreams."
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"Have patience with all things,
but first of all with
yourself."
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"People may doubt what you say,
but they'll believe what you do."
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"Never put off until tomorrow
the hug you can give today!"
****
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